And The New continued his good run of form to win The Summer Plate Trial at Market Rasen under a fine positive ride from Adam Wedge.
AND THE NEW, unsuited by the track and drop back in trip at Cartmel last time, bounced right back to his best, winning a shade cosily. The Summer Plate will demand more but he's in cracking form and it'll be no surprise to see this veteran in the mix.
Captain Ivan won comfortably on his seasonal debut at Southwell in the capable hands of Paddy Cowley.
CAPTAIN IVAN drew clear over the final three fences to win eased down. The first-time use of the hood/tongue-tie combination surely made a difference, while he's run well when fresh before and does like Southwell.
And The New bounced back to form at Market Rasen in first time cheeck pieces under a comfortable ride from Adam Wedge.
AND THE NEW has been nowhere near his best in four runs since his seasonal debut in the class 2 Castleford chase at Wetherby (2m,soft) in December. Now 20lb below his mark that day, and with cheekpieces fitted for the first time he took full advantage of the drop in class to win very easily, albeit in a race were only 8 fences were jumped. He'll get reassessed now, but has a bit in hand if this signals a return to something near his best.
Friary Rock made it 2 wins in 2 days for the yard when winning comfortably under Adam Wedge at Perth
FRIARY ROCK, a C&D winner having his first run September, returned in good heart, travelling well and finding plenty on the run-in. Although he must have been fit enough to do himself justice, there has to be a good chance he will benefit from the run.
A battling performance by Dasher Riley on his yard debut saw a first winner of the new season for the stable, under a good ride from Harry Cobden.
A battling performance by Dasher Riley on his yard debut saw a first winner of the new season for the stable, under a good ride from Harry Cobden.
Whistleinthedark made the long journey to Perth worthwhile by making it 4 from 4 over fences this season, all in the capable hands of Patrick Cowley
WHISTLEINTHEDARK, who held an alternative entry at Punchestown this week, didn't have too much difficulty making it 4-4 over fences despite the hood being left off. Ridden by Patrick Cowley each time, he's already gone up 25lb since going chasing and is on the verge of smart form.
QUOTES: WHISTLEINTHEDARK has been going well since he went chasing and I was hopeful coming here today. He’s been progressive and I think he’ll go to Aintree next month for a handicap – Laura Morgan, trainer.
WHISTLEINTHEDARK was dropping in trip, but the rain that fell beforehand made this more of a test. Always up with the pace before taking over with a mile left, he looked to be a sitting duck for the runner-up coming to the last, but his stamina came in useful and he kept on pulling out more on the run in to make it 3-3 over regulation fences. Winner of a two-runner novice chase last time, he was 21lb higher than when successful in a novices' handicap the time before which shows how much he is improving.
Big Changes wins again at Doncaster with a useful 7lbs taken off by yard conditional Jockey Lewis Dobb who gave him a fine ride.
.
BIG CHANGES 4/1 6 11-5 t 103 midfield in touch, ridden and headway before 3 out where 2 lengths down, pressed leader 2 out, soon led, narrowly ahead approaching last, stayed on run-in
Delighted to see Charging Point break his duck at Southwell having broken him in at North Lodge Equine during Lockdown ! A promising run and looks like he will stay 3 miles in due course.
Racing Post Ratings assessment: the winner was well in on his recent C&D run and arguably took a small step up on that effort with the second running to his mark. CHARGING POINT just about avoided the drama on the bend after three out, nipping around the inside and really seeing his race out well having got to the front. This was his first win at the seventh attempt and there should be further improvement in him, being just a 5yo.
Big Changes enjoyed the quicker ground at Leicester and won, going away under a good ride from yard conditional Lewis Dobb.
BIG CHANGES, in the refitted tongue-tie, had the ground in his favour and returned to form back up in trip to notch a third win over fences. On this showing he'll be suited by a return to 3m
